Listen

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

When God prompted my heart to focus on the word listen this year, I thought it was a reprimand. Last year had been busy—busier than usual. Balancing a full-time job, church life, challenges with my husband’s health, and other commitments had crowded out the time I had spent with God. Maybe I hadn’t listened to Him as much as I should.

As I began walking through this year, the word listen popped up everywhere, but not as a rebuke for something I had missed. Each time was simply a gentle reminder to lean into the voice of God and hear what He had to say to me in the moment.

“The time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.” (John 5:25, emphasis added)

Hearing God’s voice doesn’t end with salvation. Listening is a part of living fully in Him—on a day-to-day basis. As His children, we should recognize His cadence as He quietly beckons us to come closer to Him. I can just hear David pleading with us as he writes in Psalm 95:7, We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

Do you need comfort? Listen. The LORD is close to all who call on him. (Psalm 145:18)

Are you waiting for guidance? Listen. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go.” (Isaiah 30:21)

Are you lost for the right words to say? Listen. The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said. (Luke 12:12)  

Do we make room for God to speak? Are we taking the time to listen—to really hear what He has to say to us? That means purposefully clearing a spot in our busy schedules and leaning in so close that we can hear His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

God often waits for us in the quiet spaces of our lives. When we meet Him there, He provides peace, guidance, wisdom, and so much more for the journey that lies ahead. I’m learning to become more protective of those silent moments and even anticipating God to show up and speak. He promises that He will.

I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. (Psalm 85:8)

Lord, teach us to listen that we may truly hear what You are saying to us each and every day. Amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.